Team Members Profile

Greetings from Iowa! Although my title changed, my commitment to the University is as strong if not stronger than ever. I am honored to the University Director. I’ve held numerous positions in GWRRA over the years; Chapter Member, newsletter editor, Assistant Chapter Director, Assistant District Director, Chapter Membership Enhancement Coordinator, International Public Relations Director and National Membership Enhancement Administrative Assistant, Assistant Director Certifications and Director of Training. I’m married to my wonderful husband, Fred for 51 years. We have lived in Toledo, Iowa nearly all our married life. We have two beautiful children, Sandy, who lives in Washington State with her husband Jeff and our two grandchil­dren. Brad, our son lives only a few miles from us. We ride a 2006 cabernet red GL1800 Gold Wing with a California Side Car Trike conversion. We have been riding and GWRRA members since 1992 and have ridden in all the lower 48 states as well as all but three of the Canadian Provinces. 2006 is our third Gold Wing and second trike. I am a Level III in the Rider Education levels program. Safety has always been a huge part of my life and the safety courses that GWRRA offers are the best! As a trainer, by profession, most of my adult life, being part of the GWRRA training seemed a natural fit. As a trainer, one of my greatest joys is to see the “lightbulb” when a new trainer or an established trainer gets a new concept. The joy continues when that trainer and the attendees want more and more.

Mary and I have been married for 34 years; have 5 children and 13 grandchildren. I had been riding motorcycles most of my young adult life. After we got married we started our joint motorcycle riding in 1984 with a Yamaha 650 special. As in most cases we had to trade in the motorcycle as the kids got bigger and our responsibilities changed. Once the kids moved out we started looking at buying a motorcycle again. We bought our GoldWing, joined GWRRA a few years later and have been having fun ever since. We have held many positions in our Chapter, District and Region such as Chapter Ride Educator, Chapter Director, SC District Treasurers, SC District Asst. Director, SC District and Region “A” Educators. I have been very involved in the GWRRA training program through Rider Education as a Master Tour Rider, Road Captain and a certified RCI. We are both UTCP and ITCP Certified Instructors and I am also Certified as an ITCP Trainer and Coach. mcgoldwing@gmail.com

Lorrie Thomas – University Assistant

A transplant from South Florida, I moved to Portsmouth, Virginia in 2009. When I met my husband, Dan Clark, he was an active member of GWRRA and invited me to my first gathering in 2012. Little did he know that a short time later I would be serving the members on a Chapter Team. As an Assistant District Trainer, I expanded my wings, so to speak. An invite to the IDEA Team, the group that is responsible for writing the new modules, brought me to the position I hold now on the GWRRA University Team. Senior University Trainer and ITCP Instructor Trainer round out the resume’. My background is varied having served as a Uniformed Police Officer in Miami, a Nurse in Ob/Gyn, managing medical offices, and owning my own retail business. With every career move, I sought out opportunities to teach and facilitate. I strongly believe that continuous learning keeps the mind young and vibrant. The GWRRA University Team welcome ideas for new modules and suggestions for improving the existing modules and seminars. Email: lorriemthomas@aol.com

Bill McGowan – University Assistant

My wife Kathie and I have been GWRRA members for 25 of our 45 years of marriage. We bought our first Gold Wing in 1977, joined GWRRA in 1993 and haven’t looked back since. We lived in New Hampshire for most of our married years; I was raised in Massachusetts and met Kathie while in the US Air Force stationed in Illinois, her home state. Living so far east, we did most of our riding east of the Mississippi river, to include attending several east coast WingDings and many “Americade” rallies at Lake George, NY. Our daughter came west to Utah to attend College in the early 2000’s and upon retiring, we followed. Having a home base in Utah has allowed us the opportunity to ride the Western part of the country and experience the many differences between living and riding back East. Kathie was a school teacher for her career and I had a few different roles in manufacturing organizations over the years, ultimately retiring from the Allen Medical division of Hill-Rom as the Director of Operations. Since moving to Utah, Kathie and I have been fortunate enough to serve the membership in roles of District Directors, Chapter Directors, District Trainer, and Assistant Region Trainer among others. Kathie and I are both currently certified in the ITCP as Instructors and I also have been certified as an Instructor Trainer We currently ride a 2007 GL 1800 bought new in 2008 and triked in 2017 with a Hannigan Trike Kit. Email to wmcgowan_ut@comcast.net

Kathleen Heibel – University Assistant

I became the “Wing News” reporter writing articles for our District newspaper after I met Ken in 1994. Ken was the MI-O chapter Rider Educator and Ride Leader coordinator. We were asked to become Chapter Director’s in 2003, and Senior Chapter Directors in 2005. In 2006, we became part of the Michigan District Team, as Assistant District Directors, and soon after, I became the Michigan District Leadership Trainer. Becoming the District Trainer opened a wonderful opportunity for me. I have learned so much through this position and really enjoy providing those opportunities for our members. Now as the Region D trainer I look forward to even more. Email: kahiball58@comcast.net

Harry Jenkins – University Assistant

HI, we are Amy and Harry Jenkins of Chapter “W” in Albuquerque New Mexico. We have been in GWRRA since January 2011. We are Level IV Master Tour Rider and Co-Rider #8902/8903. I am ITCP Certified Trainer/Coach and Medic First Aid Instructor. I am a past Chapter Educator and District Trainer for New Mexico. I have been the Region F Assistant Trainer and Trainer. For those that don’t know us we have a 2005 silver Goldwing with penguins painted on the back and a 2007 Silver Goldwing with 2015 CSC Trike. Amy and I have been married for over 37 years and riding together since 2004. We have two grown daughters. Amy is a home maker now and I am retired from the U.S. Air Force and now a Contractor for the government. Amy and I are looking forward to working with and getting to know you. email: Hwjenkins2@comcast.net